Anyone know what this is?

TrickyZ1 · Post by **TrickyZ1** » Sat 03 Sep, 2011 12:35

Whilst in Germany last week, I saw this strange looking thing. I have to admit, I think it's pretty cool

XVar · Post by **XVar** » Sat 03 Sep, 2011 14:56

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isetta#BMW_Isetta_300

Wikipedia wrote:It was the top-selling single cylinder car in the world, with 161,728 units sold.

Not sure I'd fancy my chances being crashed into driving that!

seasurfer · Post by **seasurfer** » Sat 03 Sep, 2011 15:14

its a bmw 2 str ragtop

Post by **Robert T** » Sat 03 Sep, 2011 16:02

They did a caravan for it too. I have a model of it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKTS4rj6jfk

Cheers R.

Bill- · Post by **Bill-** » Sun 04 Sep, 2011 07:24

Bill- · Post by **Bill-** » Sun 04 Sep, 2011 07:25

Isn't a Bubblecar? they were around in the Sixties.
didnt know they were BMW though

Mr Silver · Post by **Mr Silver** » Sun 04 Sep, 2011 08:07

Those of a certain age will remember that these pinged out of the woodwork one sunny morning im the late 50's. It was not widely reported however that sales of the BMW Isetta saved BMW from financial disaster. Their range at the time consisted only of prestige cars, 501, 502, 503, (506) and the 507 sports car and sales were not happening in the depressed market of the day. In a rare flash of corporate genius they produced the Isetta range and saved the day! They became a fad and a fashion icon and appeared everywhere. Every company wanted to make them, some under licence, and some copies (a number of which were appalling). Contrary to what many may think they didn't have a bad track record regarding accidents. Their main selling points were their relative cost and, of course, a smile switch...

Regards.

TitanTim · Post by **TitanTim** » Sun 04 Sep, 2011 10:35

There is also the Messerschmitt bubble car which I think looks even cooler

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Messe ... roller.jpg

Tim.

motco · Post by **motco** » Sun 04 Sep, 2011 11:42

An uncle of mine had one of the first; two rear wheels very close together and left hand drive (later ones were three wheelers and right hand drive). 500cc single cylinder engine - a bit of a thumper! It got damaged one frosty morning when it simply let go of any contact with grip and bounced off a kerb bending the rear axle.

A chum of mine bought one later but he hadn't passed his test so asked me to drive it home for him. If I recall rightly the gearchange was still on the left although it was LHD; it sort of stuck out of the panel liner!

The Heinkel version was slightly smaller and the steering wheel stayed put when you opened the door whereas on the Isetta it was linked to the door via a universal joint and swung out when the door was opened. Some Heinkel/Trojan (UK built under licence) had no reverse gear and a chap who worked with me had one and he parked it near the cycle sheds. Some wags lifted the rear end up while he was still in it and pushed front first into the bike shed so he could neither open the door nor back it out!

Then there was the Messerschmitt; a line astern two seater bubble car with three wheels: two front and one rear. A very rare four wheel version was also made.

Four wheels

Hard Top · Post by **Hard Top** » Sun 04 Sep, 2011 11:48

I like the Messerschmitt, especially with four wheels, looks a bit like Robert T's Frog.

100GRA · Post by **100GRA** » Sun 04 Sep, 2011 11:48

What is claimed to be a "full restoration, 100%, perfect" Messerschmitt is being offered for sale in this month's Classic & Sports Car magazine by a dealer in Portugal for 27,500 Euros.

Bill- · Post by **Bill-** » Sun 04 Sep, 2011 12:33

my next door neighbour had one. it was the type which disengaged the steering when the door was opened. i like the Heinkel looks a bit like a aeroplane cockpit..

Post by **Robert T** » Sun 04 Sep, 2011 12:54

I've taken pics of a few bubblecars at shows over the years.

BMW Isetta:

Heinkel Trojan:

Messerschmitt:

HT, I guess that anything with big googly eyes looks like a frog, but you will be surprised just how much smaller than the frog these things are. I could probably get one in the boot!

Cheers R.

seasurfer · Post by **seasurfer** » Sun 04 Sep, 2011 15:52

TitanTim wrote:There is also the Messerschmitt bubble car which I think looks even cooler

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Messe ... roller.jpg

Tim.

We have 3 real ones in the family

Gill